Often, our couples tell us that they crave that “true” elopement experience. They want to spend time out in nature with their partner and enjoy a quiet, yet adventurous day. But they also can’t imagine their wedding day without their families. This was true for Erin and Ken. They are both insanely adventurous (they’ve traveled to 6 countries, lived in 4 of them, and even summited Mount Kilimanjaro last year), so going for a sunrise hike on their wedding day was a must.

The incredible thing about having a small wedding is that you can truly have your cake (or in Erin and Ken’s case, it would be pie) and eat it too. They decided to get married in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Erin grew up. That made it an easy trip for most of their guests while still offering amazing hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

On the morning of their wedding, we met them at the farmhouse they rented a little before 5am and we headed to the trailhead together. The trail they chose was special to them because not only had Erin done the hike many times growing up, but it was also the first hike she took Ken on in Charlottesville.

As we made our way slowly up the steep trail, we listened to the crickets and even heard an owl nearby. Hiking in Virginia is different than hiking in Colorado (where we’re from) because the forest is truly alive with birds, squirrels, and other critters. We could just sit and listen to the sounds of the forest and never be bored.

The sun was just starting to rise as we reached the top. Erin and Ken changed into their wedding clothes and had their first look before privately exchanging their vows. Without an audience, they felt free to pour their hearts out to each other, while still mixing in a few inside jokes to keep them from sobbing the entire time. After their private ceremony, they celebrated with champagne and then we hiked back down to the trailhead.

Later that afternoon, their families joined them at the farmhouse. They had a short, more formal ceremony, officiated by both of their fathers. Afterward, everyone gathered on the porch for speeches and pie cutting. Erin made multiple pies from scratch for their wedding day, each pie representing someone’s favorite flavor. For dinner, they had reservations at an Italian restaurant in downtown Charlottesville. But before they left, we snuck away into the field and enjoyed golden hour together.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with planning when you have two seemingly opposite desires for your wedding day. But the beauty of a small wedding is that you have the freedom to go out and explore, while also including your favorite people.

This elopement took place on Shawandasse Tula, Shawnee, and Monacan Land.

Photographs

Colorado Elopements

Destination Elopements